Stock feed for papermaking machines



March 1944- E. E. BERRY ETAL 2,344,281

STOCK FEED FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20, 1939 8' Sheets-Sheet 1 A F421. .E'. 3525:,

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E. E. BERRY ETAL STOCK FEED FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES fl iamh 14, W44.

Filed Jan. 20, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 .4 LIEI E21. E 352cm.

March E. E. BERRY ET AL STOCK FEED FDR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Qux In. K

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E. E, BERRY ET AL, 2,344,281

STOCK FEED FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed'Jan. 20, 1.959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 14, 1944.

March 14, 1944. E. E. BERRY ET AL STOCK FEED FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed, Jan 2O 1939 [.wra Hana/soars;

March 14, 1944. E Y ET 2,344,281

STOCK FEED FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet '7v ZfiVEI'T Isl E E401. E .Bszev.

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STOCK FEED FOR PAPEI? MAKING MACHINES Filed Jan. 20, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 awoowmkwfoeovo fix Em ZZZ g .Z'mez. if B522). 40m ffoe/vaosn-L Patented Mar. 14, 1 944:

STOCK FEED FOR PAPERMAKING MA H C INES Earl E. Berry and Lloyd Hornbostel, Beloit, Wls., assignors to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wls., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 20, 1939, Serial No. 251,887

27 Claims.

This invention relates to the feeding of stock onto a web forming surface.

More specifically this invention relates to a method of and apparatus for flowing paper stock from the usual pulp screen or other pulp furnishing equipment onto a web forming surface in such a way that theflbers of the stock are in a completely dispersed condition.

While the invention will hereinafter be specifically described as applied to a Fourdrinier type paper making machine, it should be understood that the principles of this invention are adapted for use on other types of web-forming apparatus including cylinder type paper making machines.

In the manufacture of paper, the paper 'pulp or stock is sometimes screened prior to its passage to the forming surface for the purpose of removing foreign ingredients, flber bundles, etc. Usually several rotary type screens are required to supply a single paper making machine.

In order to uniformly mix the streams of screened stock from the screens, when screens are used ahead of the forming wire or in order to provide a fairly uniform flow of stock to the inlet or slice of the paper making machine it is necessary to accumulate a pond of stock in a head box. The stock is then flowed from this head box thru the inlet or slice onto a traveling forming wire.

It is known that screened stock issuing from screens has the fibers in a fairly well dispersed condition and therefore has the milky appearance of a. uniform suspension. However, when this stream of stock is slowed up in a conventional head box, the uniform milky appearance of the stock disappears and a mass of curds are formed, giving the stock an appearance of sour milk. This fact can be readily observed by a comparison of the appearance of the stock issuing from a screen with the appearance of the stock in the heretofore known head boxes.

' The curdling effect is due to flocculation of fibers in the stock suspension. This flocculation is probably caused by electrical charges, or effects of charges, produced in the fibers by .the heaters and pumps. These electrical charges in the flbers cause attraction between the fibers thereby quickly building up bundles of fibers in the suspension as soon as the flow of stock is slowed up sufficiently to take care of proper distribution of stock across the machine with a conventional head box.

It has heretofore been the practice to transport the stock from the pulp supplying equipment or screens to the forming wire by flowing the same as smoothly as possible. The pipes and head boxes were therefore designed to prevent agitation of the flowing stock.

We have found that this smooth flow and the necessary slow flowing speeds promotes and makes possible the undesired fiber flocculation.

We now radically depart from the prior practices and actually effect a turbulence in the stock suspension immediately before it is deposited on the forming surface. The desired turbulence can be effected by spouting the stock under pressure through submerged orifices placed in the stock stream at a point adjacent to the forming surface.

The present invention breaks up fiber flocculation that may have occurred in the stock and makes possible the feeding of a. stock with uniform flber suspension across the entire width of the web-forming surface. The apparatus of this invention will disperse the fibers in a stock to a greater extent than the dispersion obtained in the screens, 7

According to this invention, the stock from the screens or other stock furnishing equipment is maintained in a continually flowing condition at a speed that is above the point where fiber flocculation can occur. Speeds in excess of 2 feet per second are desirable but the exact speed depends upon the consistency of the stock. The invention provides for the feeding of constant amounts of stock adjacent to the forming surface of the paper machine and for the directing of only the desired amount of stock onto the forming surface while the excess stock is recirculated. The stock flow onto the forming surface and the recirculation of the stock can be exactly controlled from a point adjacent the forming surface.

The invention also makes possible the use of concentrated paper stock when heretofore the stock fed to the forming surface of the paper machine had to be quite dilute to space the fibers in suspension. Thus large volumes of liquid such as water were used in an attempt to offset fiber flocculation, the. theory being that less fibers per cubic inch of stock suspension meant less bunching of fibers because the same had to travel toward each other for greater distances before a bunch or bundle of fibers could form. This meant that large volumes of water had to be eliminated during the course of the web formation. However, since the high velocity flow and the turbulence effected in the stock by this invention eliminates undesired flocculation, the water content of the stock may be cut down substantially.

The concentration of the stock fed to the forming surface speeds up and lowers the cost of web production since less water is handled.

A feature of the invention includes the provision of a transverse conduit adjacent the forming surface of the paper machine having a row of equally spaced holes or orifices therethrough along the length thereof and receiving stock under pressure therein. The conduit is divided into two passages and the stock is fed into these passages from opposite ends for the p pose of obtaining a uniform distribution of stock across the machine.

The principle of operation is as follows:

As the stock fiows across the machine through the passageway in the conduit, it issues from holes disposed along its length. The rate of now from these holes might vary across the machine due to the change in the velocity of the stock flowing through the passage.

Thus by causing stock to be fed in the opposite direction through a similar passage, parallel and closely adjacent to the first, the variations in the rate of flow of stock from holes along its length will be opposite to the variations of the first. The result of the combination in a uniform rate of fiow of stock across the entire machine.

The stockunder pressure in the conduit is ejected through the holes into a rotating perforated cyll-inder or reticular drum surrounding the conduit. The stock is then ejected under pressure through the perforations of the rotating cylinder or drum into a housing surrounding the cylinder and provided witha discharge port that is coextensive in length with the width of the forming surface of the paper machine and above the top of the cylinder so that the orifices or holes in the conduit and cylinder will be submerged in stock. The stock issuing from this port can be flowed onto the forming surface of the paper machine while any excess stock can be recirculated back through the conduit In this manner, the stock can be maintained in a flowing condition at a speed above the point where fiber flocculation can occur, from the time it leaves the screen or other stock preparing equipment right up to the time when it is deposited on the forming surface. Before reaching the forming surface, the stock has been elected under pressure thru two sets of holes or orifices in series that set up a turbulent action which keeps the fibers in the stock in a dispersed condition of suspension.

The invention thus makes possible the production of paper free from cloud-like formations caused by fiber flocculation. 1 It is, then, an object of this invention to uniformly distribute a uniform suspension of solids in liquid media onto a web-forming surface for the solids.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate fiber flocculation in the feeding of stock suspensions onto the forming surfaces of paper making machines.

Another object of the invention is to provld a feeding apparatus for paper making machines capable of maintaining the stock fibers in a completely dispersed condition right up to the time of their deposition on the forming wire of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stock feeding apparatus for a paper making machine capable of taking a stock in which the fibers are already in a bunched or fiocculated condition and disperse the fibers and uniformly (115- tribute this stock in its fiber-dispersed condition to the forming surface of the paper machine.

A specific object of this invention is to positively pump screened paper stock through a perforate conduit located adjacent the forming wire of a paper machine at a speed in excess of the speed where fiber flocculation can occur and to reclrculate through the pump excess stock from said conduit.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a stock-distributing device for a Fourdrinier type paper making machine at a point immediately ahead of the breast roll end of said machine and to fiow stock issuing from the conduit in any desired amount onto the forming wire while returning excess stock to the conduit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for uniformly mixing screened suspensions of fibers without slowing up the speed of travel of the stream and for feeding the uniformly mixed stock at high velocity into a passageway immediately adjacent the forming surface of the machine for deposition of stock onto said forming surface in any desired amount while returning excess stock to the mixing device.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which disclose preferred embodiments of this invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational assembly view of a preferred form of apparatus according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a broken top plan view looking down from the line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken alon the line III-JII of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken along the line IVIV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but illustrating, in solid lines, adjusted positions for parts of the structure.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view taken along x the line V11IV1II of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary development of a rotary cylinder forming part of the apparatus of this invention.

Figure 10 is a development of the end seals for the rotary cylinder.

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, of a modified form of feed device according to this invention.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the stock conduits shown in Figure 11 and illustrating the pipe connections to these conduits.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure 1 the reference numeral ll designates the forming wire of a Fourdrinier type paper making machine. As shown, the wire i I is trained over the usual breast roll II which is mounted on shake springs such as I 2 extending from a supporting base ii. The base If is mountedonafioorll.

A portion of the apparatus of this invention is mounted on a floor I5 adjacent to the breast roll end of the paper machine. The floor I5 is at a lower level than the floor ll.

The stock screens, such as the screen l6, are mounted on the floor i5. Each screen l6 has a rotating screen member such as l1. The screened pulp flows out of the center of the rotary screen l1 into a flow box IS. The flow box l8 has a vertical baflie i9 extending from the base thereof into spaced relation from the top thereof and a second vertical baiile 26 extending from the top of the flow box into spaced relation from the bottom. The baflie can be adjusted vertically to vary its spaced relation from the bottom of the flow box. Drain ports 2| and 22 are provided in the bottom of the flow box.

The flow box I8 has an outlet port |8a near the bottom of its front wall. The outlet port |8a is in front of the baffle l9.

A pump 23 is mounted in front of the flow bpx l8 and has an inlet 23a communicating with the flow box through the port la. The pump 23 is preferably of the centrifugal type having the impeller supported on axles or trunnions such as 24.

The pump 23 has an outlet 23b communicatin with a. ,gate valve 25 controlled by a hand wheel 25a.

The discharge side of the valve 25 receives an L 26 which is connected to a. T fitting 21 at a level above the floor l4. The T fitting also receives transverse branch pipes 28 and 29 as best shown in Figure 2.

The outer ends of the branch pipes 23 and 23 are connected through elbows and pipe sections with pipe couplings 36 and 3| respectively. The couplings 30 and 3| communicate with passages 32 and 33 respectively formed in a conduit 34 by a longitudinal dividing wall 35 (Figure 7).

The conduit 34 is mounted in spaced parallel relation behind the breast roll II. I

As shown in Figure 7, the end of the passage 32 opposite the coupling 30 has a recirculating pipe 36 communicating therewith at the bottom thereof. Likewise the end of the passage 33 opposite the coupling 3| has a recirculating pipe 38 communicating therewith.

As shown in Figure discharges into a vertical standpipe 31 while the recirculating pipe 38 discharges into a vertical standpipe 39. As best shown in Figure 1, each standpipe such as the standpipe 39 is mounted on the floor l4 and is adapted to receive therein a plurality of telescoping pipes 46, 4| and 42. These pipes 46 to 42 are of decreasing diameters and are adapted to be nested together. The top pipes 42 have valves 42a therein.

As also shown in Figure 1. each standpipe such as 39 communicates with a. pipe line 43 leading back to the flow box 18. Valves such as 44 can be provided in each recirculating pipe 36 and 38 as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2 a pipe line 43 communicates with each standpipe 3'Land 33.

As shown in Figures 3, 6 and '1, the conduit 34 carries split caps 45 and 46 therearound between the pipes 36 and 38. 'As best shown in Figure 3,

the split caps 45 and 46 are tightly clamped around the conduit 34 by means of clamp bolts 41.

The caps 45 and 46 have annular flanges 45a and 46a secured to annular end flanges 46a of a housing member 48, as best shown in Figure 6. The housing member 48, as shown in Figures 1, 3,4 and 5, is supported from the floor l4 on frames 49.

As best shown in Figure 6, collars 50 and 5| are tightly disposed around the conduit 34. inside 2, the recirculating pipe 36 of the caps 45 and 46 respectively. These collars 50 and 5| have extended central portions 50a and 5|a respectively on their outer peripheries. Rings 52 and 53 of Micarta, hard rubber or other water lubricating bearing material are disposed around the collars 56 and 5| respectively. These rings 52 and 53 have recesses 52a and 53a on their inner peripheries receiving the extended portions 56a and 5|a respectively of the collars 50 and 5|. The outer peripheries of'the rings 52 and Y53 have threaded grooves 54 cut therein for feeding a lubricant along the surface of the bearings as will be more fully hereinafter described.

Collars 55 and 56 are clamped by the caps 45 and 46 respectively in alignment with the collars 50 and 5|. These collars 55 and 56 have extended central portions 55a and 56a respectively.

Rings 51 and 58 of Micarta, hard rubber or other water lubricating bearing material are seated inside of the collars 55 and 56 and have recesses 51a and 58a respectively receiving the extended portions 55a and 56a of the collars.

The inner peripheries of the rings 51 and 58 are provided with threaded grooves 66 for lubrication purposes to be more fully hereinafter described.

A cylinder 6| is placed over the conduit 34 and is carried in spaced relation therefrom by the bearing rings 52, 53, 51 and 58. The cylinder 6| extends into close relation with the end caps 45 and 46 and is perforated as at 62 throughout that portion of its length that is intermediate the pairs of bearing rings.

As best shown in Figure 9, the cylinder the holes 62 therein developed on a spiral.

It will be noted from Figure 6 that the end cap 45 is deeper than the cap 46 and provides a sealed space 45b between the walls thereof and the hear.- ing rings. A ring gear 63 is attached to the end of the cylinder 6| extending into this space 45b.

The cap 45 has a housing portion 450 thereon receiving a drive shaft 64 therethrough. This drive shaft 64 is rotatably carried on bearings 65 and. 66. These bearings can be made of Micarta or other water lubricating bearing material and may be provided with the same type of grooves described in connection with the bearing rings for the cylinder 6|. The bearing 65 is seated in a socket 61 formed in the housing 450 while the bearing 66 is seated in a socket 66 formed in a housing or boss 69 closing the housing 450. A threaded packing member 10 is threaded into the boss 63 for sealing the shaft 64.

A pinion 1| is mounted in the housing 450 and is mounted on shaft 64. This pinion 1| meshes with the ring gear 63 to drive the cylinder 6| around the conduit 34.

Lubricant passages 12 and 13 are formed in the housing 450 and cover 69 for the housing for joining the outer edges of the bearings 65 and 66 with pipes 14 and 15 respectively. These pipes.

14 and 15 communicate with a water lubricant supply line 16.

As best shown in Figure 3. the water lubricant supply line 16 has a pressure reducing valve 11 therein adapted to be set to deliver water lubricant under a desired pressure to various parts of the apparatus as will be hereinafter described. The supply line 16 can be connected with a source of water under pressure.

A branch pipe 18 extends from the supply line 16 through the end cap 46. The other end of the supply line 16 extends through the other end cap 45.

As best shown in Figure 6, water lubricant is supplied through the pipes I4, 15, I6 and 18 to the outer ends of each bearing ring. This fluid is introduced against the outer ends of the bearing rings at pressures greater than that existing in the space between the cylinder 6| and the conduit 34, so that there will be an inward flow of lubricant such as water, into this space.

As shown in Figure 10, the bearing rings such as 52 and 51 have the grooves 54 and 60 cut therein on a helical or screw-thread contour so that the lubricant at the outer edges of the bearings enters the outer grooves such as 54a and 60a and works its way in a helical path across the entire bearing surface of the ring into the housing 48. and into the space between thecylinclei' BI and the conduit 34. There is thus a constant trickle of lubricant through the bearings to lubricate the shaft 64 and the cylinder 6|.

As'shown in Figure 8, an electric motor 80 is carried on a bracket 8I from one of the supporting frames 49. This motor 80 drives a chain 82 trained around a gear 83. As shown in Figure 3, the gear 83 is mounted on the end of the shaft 64. In this manner the cylinder 6| is rotated around the conduit 84 inside of a cylindrical housing 48.

As best shown in Figures 4, and 6, the conduit 34 has two rows of holes 84 and 85 therethrough communicating with the passage 32 in the conduit. The rows of holes 84 and 85, as shown in Figure 6. extend onlyalong that portion of the conduit 34 that is between the rings 50 andSI.

A similar pair of rows of holes 86 and 81 are formed in the conduit 34 communicating with the passage 33 therein.

Deflectors 88 (Figures 4 and 5) are secured to the outer periphery of the conduit 34 and have lip portions 88:: extending in spaced relation over each row of holes 84 to 81.

The bottom of the housing 48 has a plurality of circular openings such as 48 therein closed by hinged covers such as 89 pivoted to one of the supporting frames 49. The hinged covers such as 89 are shaped as at 89a with concave faces which continue the same cylindrical contour as the inside of the housing 48.

The housing 48 has a forwardly extending horizontal apron board 48b on the front wall thereof. This apron board 48b carries an apron 90 which extends over the wire I0 on top of the breast roll II. The apron 90 is attached at its rear end to the apron board 48b by means of an apron clamp SI forcing the rear end of the apron into a'groove formed in the top of the apron board.

The front wall of the housing 48 has a block 92 mounted thereon and defining a plurality of water nozzles such as 93 facing the breast roll I I. Seals 94 and 95 are carried by the block 92 and are adjusted to just clear the wire I0 on the breast roll II. Water is forced out of the nozzles 93 between the seals 94 and 85, forming a water seal between the outside and a triangular chamber 96.

This chamber 96 is formed by the apron board 48b, the front wall of the housing, the seal 95 and the breast roll. This chamber is closed at its ends by means of end plates 91 for the housing 48 (Figure 8).

In order to prevent air and water entrained in the wire I0 from being drawn up into the web of paper formed on the top run of the wire, this closed chamber 96 is partially evacuated through a suction outlet 98 communicating through one of the side plates 91. Thus any water or air enof the housing trained in the meshes of the wire I0 is drawn out of the meshes by the reduced pressure existing in the space 96.

An opening 480 is provided along the length 48 at the forward top portion thereof. A cover member 99 preferably formed of stainless steel or other non-corroding alloy is disposed on the top of the housing and has a head portion 99a seated in the opening 480 of the housing. This head portion 99a has an arcuate bottom face continuing the cylindrical contour of the housing. The narrow opening 48c thus provided between the head 99a and the front wall of the housing 48 extends along the full length of the housing. The length of the opening 480 is slightly less than the width of the wire I0.

As best shown in Figure 6, the housing 48 has horizontal flanges 48d extending from the top portion thereof over the end caps 45 and 46. These flanges 486 are formed along the top of the housing and provide tracks for an L-shaped wall member I00 carried'on top of the housing. The wall member I00 has side flanges I00 seated [on the flanges 48d of the housing. The bottom horizontal leg I00a of the wall member I 00 is thus carried in spaced relation above the cover member 99 on the housing 48 to provide a horizontal passageway IOI along the top of the housing. This passageway is closed at its ends by upstanding flanges 486 formed on the ends of the housing.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the wall member I00 has the vertical leg I00b thereof extending upward for a considerable distance above the top of the housing 48. The legs M011 and I00b of the wall member I00 are reinforced by end webs I00c.

Gear racks I02 are bolted against the outer ends of the housing flanges 48d. The gear teeth mm of the racks I02 are formed on top faces of the racks.

Cover bars I03 are bolted on top of the flanges 48d and extend in spaced relation over the flanges I00 of the wall member I00.

Bolts I04 ar threaded through the inner end portions of the bars I03 and are adapted to clamp the flanges I00 tightly against the flanges 48d for preventing relative movements between the wall I00 and the housing. At the same time these bolts I04 can be loosened to permit a sliding of the wall I00 over the top of the housing,

A reinforcing tube I05 extends between the webs I000 of the wall member I 00. A shaft I06 extends through this tube I05 and projects through the webs I00c as .shown in Figure 6. Gears I01 are mounted on the ends of the shaft I06 and mesh with the teeth I 02a of the racks I02.

As shown in Figure 2, a worm wheel I08 is mounted around an intermediate portion of the shaft I06 adjacent a slot I 05a through the tube I05. A worm I09 meshes with the wheel I08 and is driven by an electric motor IIO carried by the wall member I00. A rotation of the shaft I06 by the motor I I0 will thus move the wall member I00 back and forth along the top of the housing 48.

As best shown in Figures 1, 4 and 8 the webs I000 of the wall member I00 carry forwardly extending brackets III thereon at a level in spaced relation above the bottom leg I00a of the wall member. the brackets III and is carried by the brackets.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 4 each bracket III has a dependent leg IIIa forwardly of the webs I 00c. Each leg IIIa carries a pivot pin II3 A catwalk board II2 extends between extending therethrough. Arms |I4 are pivotally mounted at their forward ends on the pins H3. These arms H4 each have an offset leg H4a. extending between the leg Elia of the bracket and the web i000 and then forwardly of the bracket along the outer face thereof. Deckle pulleys H5 are rotatably mounted on th ends of the legs 544a and have the usual deckle straps H6 therearound.

The rear ends of the arms H4 are provided with slots H1. Bolts such as H8 extend through the webs I000 into the slots H1 while nuts H9 threaded around the bolts H8 can clamp the arms H4 in adjusted position. A swinging of the arms H4 about their pivots H3 will raise and lower the forward ends of the legs H4a. to raise and lower the deckle pulleys.

The same pivot pins H3 support arms I on the inside of the arms II4 as shown in Figure 2.

The forward portions of the arms I20 are upwardly offset as shown in Figure 4 and are pivoted at their forward ends to ears I2 Ia of a beam member I2I extending across the width of the machin between the deckle pulleys H5. The ears I2Ia are spaced inwardly from the ends of the beam member so that this member can extend to a point adjacent the deckle straps. The beam member I2I is built up from spaced opposed channel beams I22 and I23 secured at their ends to end plates I24. A top plate member I26 is mounted on top of the channel beams I22 and I23, provides a bridge across the space between the beams and carries the ears I2Ia which are pivoted to the arms I20.

The plate I has threaded holes I21 therethrough at spaced intervals along the length thereof. Internally and externally threaded handle members I28 are threaded into the holes I21. These handle members I28 have threaded hollow shank portions I29 receiving the threaded ends of rods I30. The threads cut in the holes I21 and on the exterior of the handle members I28 are preferably arranged one more or one less to the inch than the threads cut in the hollow shanks I29 and on the rod members I30. Thus as the handles I28 are screwed down through the openings I21 the rod I30 is threaded into th shank I20 giving a micrometer adjustment of the rods I30.

The bottom ends of the rods I30 are pivoted at I3I to a flexible plate I32 extending forwardly from the horizontal leg I00a of the wall member I00.

The plate I 32 cooperates with the apron board 48b of the housing 48 and the apron 90 to form a nozzle outlet I 33 to the wire I0 for the passageway IOI.

Deckle boards I34 are carried at the sidesof the flange 48b and form end walls for th nozzle. The plate I32 extends up to the deckle boards and is therefore slightly longer than the beam member I2I. Since the beam I2I extends up close to the deckle pulleys the end rods I30 can be attached near the ends of the plate I32.

The rear ends of the arms I20 supporting the beam member IZI are pivoted to links I35. The links I35, in turn, are pivoted to screws 138 which extend through casings I31 carried by the webs I000 of the wall member I00. The casings I31 house worm wheels (not shown) and worms (not shown).

The worm wheels are threaded around the screws I36 so that a rotation of the wheels by the worms will raise or lower the screws I relative to the casing l31.

internally A tube I38 extends between the casings I31. A drive shaft I33 extends through the center of the tube I38 and has the worms in the casings I31 keyed thereon. The mid-portion of the s aft I39 carries a worm wheel I40 engaging through a slot I38a in the tube I38 with a worm I42 (Figure 2) of a hand operated rod I42 extending to the top of the wall member I00 (Figure 8). The rod I42 is rotatably mounted in a bracket I43 carried by the wall member.

A rotation of the rod I42 by means of the hand wheel I44 secured on the top end of the rod will cause a rotation of the shaft I39 to raise or lower the screws I38 relative to their casings, This in turn will cause at raising or lowering of the beam member I2! and the front end of the flex ible plate I32 carried by the rods I30.

The entire length of the plate I32 can be raised or lowered simultaneously by the above-described operation of the beam member I2I. In addition,

individual sections of the flexible plate I32 can be raised or lowered by operation of the handles I28 for the rods I30. J

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the wall member I00 has rearwardly extending flanges I00d along the sides thereof. The flanges I00d can extend beyond the back wall of the housing 48.

A vertical back wall or plate I45 is slidably mounted against the back wall of the housing 48 and has side flanges I45a in slidable engagement with the inner faces of the flanges I00d. Sealing strips I46 (Figure 2) are mounted in grooves in the flanges I45a to rub against the flanges I00d and prevent leakage between the flanges.

A sealing strip I41 (Figure 4) is also provided in the rear face of the housing 48 to rub against the non-corroding lining I45b on the front face of the plate I45. The sealing strip I41 will prevent leakage between the lining and the housing.

The plate I45 is formed at the top thereof to provide a trough I48 (Figures 2, 3 and 4) in back of the plate. This trough I48 is curved into the top of the plate I45 as shown at Mild in Figure 4.

Outlets I49 (Figures 2 and 3) are formed at the sides of the trough I48 and. communicate with the bottom of the trough through openings I48a (Figure 2). The drain outlets I43 are connected to the top standpipes 42 which have the valves 42a therein and are part of the telescoping pipes 39 to 42 described in connection with Figure 1.

As best shown in Figure 4, the rear surface and the bottom surface of the wall member I00 is covered with a metal lining I00e of non-'corroding alloy.

A passageway I 50 is formed between the linings I006 and I45b. This passageway is closed at its ends by the flanges I00cl of the wail member :00.

The bottom of the passageway I30 communicates with-the horizontal passageway I0! while the top of the passageway I50 comniui'iicates with the trough I48.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4-, the rear plate I45 has a rearwardly extending web I450. Threaded bosses I5I are bolted to the underside of the web I450 and receive threaded rods I52 in screw-thread relation therewith. The rods I52 are adapted to extend through holes in the web I450.

As best shown in Figure 8, a cross-shaft i253 is rotatably mounted in floor brackets such as I54 and is driven by the motor 30 through a. sprocket gear I55 and a sprocket chain i518. The drive shaft I53 has worms such as I51 keyed thereon and meshing with worm wheels such as Figure the passageway IN 7 condition throughout overflows communicate I53 keyed on the lower ends of the threaded rods I52. A clutch (not shown) is disposed between the motor 80 and the drive shaft I53 so that the shaft need not be rotated except when wanted. When the clutch is engaged, however, and when the motor 80 is operating, the rods I52 can be rotated in-either direction by reversing the motor to raise and lower the plate I45 and the devices carried by the plate.

A comparison of Figures 4 and 5 will illustrate the change in the positions of the plate I45 made possible by the lifting screws I52. In Figure 4 the plate I45 extends almost to the top of the wall member I 00. In Figure 5 the plate I45 is lowered below the top of the housing 48.

The wall member I00, as shown in Figure 5, can be moved over the top of the housing 43 from the position shown in solid lines in Figure 5 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5.

When the plate I45 is lowered as shown in is readily accessible for cleaning purposes. A raising and lowering of the plate I45 does not require disconnection of any of the pipes cooperating therewith since the standpipes 39 to 42 are adapted to be telescoped together.

Operation of apparatus described in Figures 1 to 10, Inclusive Aqueous suspension of paper stock are delivered into the flow box I8. The flow box I8 might receive the paper stock from one or more rotary screens I6. The paper stock in the flow box is directed around the battles I9 and and is pumped by the pump 23 into the passages 32 and 33 of the conduit 34. The inlets to the passages are at opposite ends of the conduit so that the flow of stock through the conduits is in opposite directions. The pump is operated so as to maintain a rapidly flowing stream of stock at a velocity above the point where fiber flocculation can occur (preferably above 2 feet per second). In order to insure a constant fiowlng of the stock, and maintain the stock in a turbulent the passages 32 and 33, with the passages 32 and 33 at the ends thereof opposite the inlets. These overflows are connected through pipes 35 and '33 having valves 44 in them to the stand pipes Ill and 39, thence to return pipes 43 leading back 0 to the flow box I8.

Stock is fed to the passages 32 and 33 under pressure from the pump 23. This stock is then ejected from the passages 32 and 33 thru the holes or orifices 34 to 81 into the space between the rotating cylinder SI and the conduit 34. This space is at a lower pressure than the passages 32 and 33 and the pressure drop is used to create the high velocity thru the orifices 84 to 81 with the accompanying turbulent effect on the stock. The orifices are small, preferably about in diameter.

The pressure in the space between the cylinder 6i and the conduit 34 is again higher than the pressure outside of the rotating cylinder GI with the result the stock is again ejected thru a series of holes or orifices in the cylinder GI and the high velocity Jets create a turbulent and well defiocculated stock. A pressure drop of 2 feet or more in head of stock is desirable between the passages 32, 33 and the housing 48.

The deflectors 88 on the conduit 34 direct the stock in one circumferential or tangential direction around the conduit. The cylinder BI is then tion. This produces a rotary flow of stock in the space between the conduit and cylinder which is opposed by the rotating cylinder. The mouths of the orifices through the cylinder are thus constantly wiped by the stock.

The impinging of a myriad of stock streams from a rotating member into a stock passageway maintains the fibers of the stock in the passageway in a thoroughly dispersed and uniformly mixed condition.

The thus dispersed and uniformly mixed stock flows upwardly out of the housing 48 and part or all of the stock passes through the nozzle provided by-the plate I32 and the apron 90 onto the forming wire I0. If a pressure formation of stock is desired on the forming wire the front end of the plate I32 can be moved beyond the front end ofthe apron 30 to define a confined area on the wire under stock pressure.

The stock in the horizontal passageway I M can partially be flowed onto the forming wire I0 while the remaining portion of th stock can flow into the vertical passageway I from which it overflows into the trough I48 and is returned through the standpipes 33 to 42 and th pipe 43 back to' the fiow box.

The plate I45 can be adjusted in height to maintain a desired head on the stock issuing from the housing 48.

The stock is constantly maintained in a flowing condition and subject to turbulence so that fiber flocculation is minimized and the fibers in the stock are thoroughly mixed and dispersed before the same are fed onto the forming wire.

All adjustments for controlling flow of stock onto the wire are immediately adjacent the breast roll end of the machine and can be made without affecting remote parts of the system.

Ihe machine provides for any desired pressure head of stock being fed to the wire by selective positioning of the rear plate I 45.

The horizontally movable wall member I00 makes possible the formation of a confined stock area on the wire by moving the nozzle plate I45 ahead of the apron 30. At; the same tim this wall member I00 can be moved back any desired amount.

The deckle pulleys are readily adjusted and easily lifted ofi of the wire by the bolt and slot control of the arms II4 supporting the pulleys.

The plate I32 can be flexed along its length by micrometer devices cooperating with the rods I30.

\ At the sametlme the entire length of the plate rotated around the conduit in the opposite direc- I32 can be raised or lowered by the operation of the beam supporting arms I20.

The apparatus is readily cleaned by an opening of the hinged covers 89 a lowering of the rear plate I45 to the position shown in Figure 5.

The rotary cylinder BI is supported on waterlubricated bearings and the driving apparatus for the cylinder is mounted in one of the end caps 45 for the housing 48. Water is fed through the bearings supporting the rotating cylinder SI and the drive shaft for this cylinder.

Apparatus shown in Figures 11 and 12 In the modified structure shown in Figures 11 and 12, the reference numeral 200 designates generally the usual forming wire of a Fourdriniertype paper making machine. The wire 200 is trained around a breast r011 20l. A stock feed device 202 is mounted immediately behind the breast roll 20 I.

The stock feed 202 comprises a base 203 housto the housing 48 and by ing conduits 204 and 205 in adjoining parallel relation.

A rear wall member or plate 206 extends vertically upward from the base 203 and is disposed over the conduit 204.

An L-shaped wall member 201 has the vertical leg 201a extending upwardly from the base 203 above the conduit 205 therein. The leg 201a is in spaced parallel relation with the wall 206.

The horizontal leg 2011: of the wall member 201 extends forwardly over the top of the breast roll 201.

A front wall member 208 is disposed above the horizontal leg 201b of the wall member 201 at a point adjacent the breast roll 20I. The wall member 208 pivotally carries a slice plate or nozzle member 209. This plate 209 is pivoted at 210 to the bottom of the plate 208. A bracket 2 is secured to the front face of the wall member 208 and has handles such as 2I2 threaded therethrough for carrying adjusting rods such as 2|3 which are pivoted to the plate 209 as at 2l4.

Side walls such as 2|5 cooperate with the wall members 206, 201, and 208 to define a box.

The side walls such as the wall 215 have space opposed ribs 2l6 extending vertically downward from the top thereof to the horizontal leg 201b of the wall member 201. These ribs 216 form grooves such as 211 along the side walls. Boards 218 are slidably seated at their ends in the grooves 2 l1 to form a partition wall between the rear wall 206 and the front wall 208.

Two stock passageways H9 and 220, are thus provided.

A plate 22l similar to the plate I45 described in connection with Figures 1 to 10 is slidable along the back face of the wall member 206. The plate 221 has a trough 222 formed in the top portion thereof similar to the trough 148. This trough is drained by means of drain outlets such as 223.

As best shown in Figure 12, the conduits 204 and 205 each have a row of holes 224 along the length thereof. As shown in Figure 11 these rows of holes 224 communicate with the stock passageway 219 and the holes are, inclined toward each other. Deflector members 225 are secured to the conduits 204 and 205 and have lips 226 disposed in spaced relation above the holes 224. I

As shown-in Figure 12, stock is supplied to the conduits 204 and 205 from a stock supply pipe 221. Branch pipes 228 and 229 communicate with the supply pipe 221 and the branch pipe 228 enters the conduit-205 at one end thereof while the branch pipe 229 enters the conduit 204 at the opposite end of the conduit.

A recirculating line 230 receives excess stock from the conduits 204 and 205 through branch pipes 23l and 232.

The branch pipe 231 communicates with the conduit 204 at the end of the conduit opposite to the inlet end thereof.

Likewise the branch pipe 232 communicates with the conduit 205 at the end thereof opposite the inlet pipe 228.

Streams of stock are thus flowed through the conduits 204 and 205 in opposed directions. The stock in the conduit is maintained under pressure and is ejected through the holes 224 in the conduit into the stock passageway H9. The stock then fiows upwardly in the passageway 2 I 9 over the top board 218 into the stock passage way 220 from which it can fiow under the plate 209 onto the forming wire 200.

in the stock passageways 219 and 220 by regulation of the height of the slidable plate 22L If desired instead of flowing stock over the top board 2l8, two adjacent boards can be held in spaced apart relation so that stock will fiow through the space between the boards into the passage 220.

Apparatus identical with that shown and described in Figure 1 can be used in back of the feed device 202 for feeding stock to the conduits 204 and 205 and for returning excessstock from the overflow trough 222.

The stock fiow through the conduit is maintained at high velocity to cut down fiber fioccu lation and the stock ejected through the holes 224 has the fibers thereof thoroughlydispersed and uniformly mixed. The stock flowed through the passageways 2l9 and 220 is maintained at a desired high velocity irrespective of, the amount of stock supplied to the forming wire by regulation of the overflow into the trough 222. In this manner the stock is maintained in a constantly flowing condition right up to the time it is -deposited on the forming wire and fiber flocculation maintained at a minimum.

From the above description it should be understood that'the apparatus of this invention now provides for the feeding of a uniformly mixed stock suspension having the fibers therein thoroughly dispersed. The heretofore-- encountered fiber flocculation is eliminated and stock fiow onto the wire is controlled fromv a point immediately adjacent the breast roll end of the wire.

We are aware that many changes may be made and numerus details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and we, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent. granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. I

Weclaim as our invention:

1. A Stock feed device for paper making machines comprising an open ended housing defining an elongated cylindrical chamber, a stock conduit extending through said chamber in spaced relation from the walls of the housing, end caps disposed around said conduit closing the ends of the housing, annular bearings in said ing pairs of bearings and extending along the housing in spaced relation from the housing walls and from the conduit, said bearings sealing the interior of the housing from the end caps, said conduit having openings along the length thereof between said bearings, a ring gear in one of said end caps secured around the. end portion of the recticular drum and a spur gear meshed with said ring gear for driving the drum in the housing around the conduit.

2. A stock feed device for paper making me.- chines comprising an elonagted housing defining a cylindrical chamber therein, a stock conduit extending through said housing and having openings along its length for election of stock, annular bearings in said housing disposed around said conduit, cooperating annular bearings disposed in said housing in alignment with said first mentioned bearings, a cylinder in said hous ng rotatably carried between said cooperating pairs of bearings in spaced relationfrom the Any desired head of stock can be maintained 7; housing walls and from the conduit, saidbearings having helical grooves in the faces thereof engaging the cylinder and means forfeeding a lubricant under pressure against the outer faces of the bearings for circulation through the grooves to lubricate the contacting surfaces of the bearings and cylinder.

3. A stock feed device for paperv making machines comprising a bottom wall member, a top wall member in spaced relation therefrom, said wall members defining a substantially horizontal stock passageway therebetween, means for moving the top wall member beyond the'bottom wall member to provide a confined stbck area on the, forming surface of the paper machine, spaced opposed vertical wall members defining a vertical stock passageway communicating at the bottom with the horizontal passageway and means for raising and lowering one of said wall members to vary the height of the vertical stock passageway and thereby control the ,head pressure of stock in the horizontal passageway.

4. A stock feed device for Fourdrinier type paper making machines including a forming wire trained around a breast roll which comprises a housing extending transversely across the machine adjacent the breast roll, said housing having a stock outlet in the top thereof substantially coextensive in length with the width of the forming surface of the paper machine forming wire, an apron extending from said housing on top of the upper run of the forming wire adapted to receive stock from said opening, an L-shaped wall member having the horizontal leg thereof slidably mounted on top of said housing and the vertical leg thereof extending upwardly, above the housing, a slice plate carried by said L-shaped wall member and projecting forwardly from the front end of the horizontal leg thereof, said slice plate confining the top of the stock issuing from the opening in the housing, means for moving the L-shaped wall member to carry the end of the slice plate beyond the apron for defining a stock area on the forming wire, a vertically movable wall member cooperating with the vertical leg of the L-shaped wall member to define a vertical stock passageway communicating at its lower end with the stock passageway between the top of the housing and the horizontal leg and an overflow device on said vertically movable wall member to remove excess stock from the vertical passageway whereby stock in said passageway can be maintained in a constantly flowing condition.

5. A stock fiow device for paper making machines comprising a housing for mounting across the width of the paper machine, a wall member having a horizontal leg movably mounted in spaced relation above the top of the housing to cooperate with the top of the housing for defining a horizontal stock passageway, said wall member also having a vertical leg extending upwardly from the rear end of the horizontal leg, a slice plate projecting from the front end of the horizontal leg and adapted to be disposed over the forming surface of the paper machine and a rear plate member slidable along the rear face of the housing and cooperating with the vertical leg of the wall member to define a vertical passageway communicating at the bottom thereof with said horizontal passageway whereby stock from said housing can be flowed into the horizontal passageway and onto the forming surface of the paper machine under a head determined by the height of stock in the vertical passageway.

6. A stock feed device for a paper making machine comprising a housing, a wall member carried in spaced relation above the top of the housing, means for moving said wall member back and forth along the top of the housing, a slice plate proiecting from the front end of said wall member, said housing having an opening in the top thereof adapted to supply stock to the passageway between the top of the housing and the wall member and a vertically adjustable overflow device communicating with said passageway to regulate the head pressure of stock therein.

7. A stock feed device for paper making machines comprising a housing definin a cylindrical chamber, said housing having an outlet in the top portion thereof coextensive in length with said chamber, means defining a stock passageway on top of said housing communicating with said outlet, a conduit extending through said housing having holes along the length thereof, and means for introducing stock under pressure through said conduit for flowing out of said holes into the housing and out of the housing outlet into said passageway for deposit on the forming surface of the machine.

8. A stock feed for paper making machines comprising, a head box, a pair 01 conduits extending transversely through the bottom portion of the box, said conduits each having a row of holes therethrough along the length thereof, means for flowing stock under pressure in opposite directions through said conduits for ejection through said holes into the box, and means defining a stock outlet for flowing stock from the v box to the forming wire of the paper machine.

9. The method of supplying thoroughly dispersed stock to a web forming surface which comprises flowing stock under pressure through machine which comprises continually pumping stock in opposite directions through adjacent elongated passageways, ejecting some of the stock through holes along the length of the passageways into a pond, a'gain pumping unejected stock from the passageways'through the passageways to maintain a high speed flow through the passageways, flowing stock from the pond to the paper machine, and overflowing excess stock from the pond at a desired level to maintain the pond in constantly flowing condition under a desired head pressure.

1 l. In a stock feed device for a paper making machine, an elongated stock conduit adapted to extend across the paper machine and having a plurality of longitudinal passageways therethrough, stock supply means communicating with one passageway at one end of the conduit, stock supply means communicating with an adjacent passageway at the opposite end of the conduit, and said conduit having at least one orifice along the length thereof communicating with each passageway to effect turbulence in stock spouted therethrough.

12. A device for feeding stock uniformly across the width of a paper machine forming surface which comprises means defining a pair of confined passageways for paper stock extending transversely across a paper machine adjacent the forming surface thereof, said passageways having a plurality of holes along the length thereof, and means for flowing equal amounts of stock through said passageways in opposite directions for ejection through said holes.

13. The method of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper machine which comprises flowing stock transversely across the width of the forming surface in volume sufficient to create velocities greater than the fiber flocculation point for the stock through a device for dispersing the fibers in the stock located adjacent the forming surface, removing excess stock from said device to maintain said velocities, and flowing the dispersed stock from said device onto the forming surface in volumes independent of the volume passed through the dispersing device.

14. The method of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper making machine for uniformly distributing the stock across the surface which comprises flowing the stock in opposite directions across the Width of the machine, ejecting stock from the flowing streams along the lengths thereof, merging the ejected'stock from the oppositely flowing stock streams and flowing merged stock onto the forming surface.

15. The method of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper making machine for uniformly distributing the stock across the surface which comprises inducing oppositely flowing streams of stock across the width of the machine adjacent the forming surface, ejecting stock from said oppositely flowing streams along the lengths thereof, merging the ejected stock, and flowing merged stock in a lateral direction onto the forming surface.

16. In a paper making machine including a forming surface, a stock filtering screen, and a flow box receiving screened stock from the filtering screen, the improvements which comprise an elongated conduit extending across the width of the paper machine adjacent the forming surface,

duit, and a housing surrounding the cylinder in spaced relation therefrom receiving stock ejected from the conduit through the cylinder, said housing defining a passageway directing the ejected stock to the forming surface of the paper machine.

18. In a Fourdrinier type paper making machine having a forming wire trained around a breast roll, the improvement of a stock feed device adjacent the breast roll end of the forming wire which includes a stock conduit open along the length thereof extending across the width of th machine, means for flowing stock into one end of the 'conduit for ejection along the length of the conduit, means for draining excess stock from the other end of the conduit to maintain the stock in the conduit in a constantly flowing stream, a housing receivin ejected stock from the conduit and defining a passageway for said stock to the forming surface, and means for draining excess stock from said assageway.

19. A stock feed device for a paper making machine comprising means defining a plurality said conduit being open along the length thereof for ejection of stock across the width of the machine, a pipe line joining the flow box with one end of the conduit, means for flowing stock from the fiow box through the conduit, a second pipe line joining the opposite end of the conduit with the how box for recirculation of unejected stock, means in the second-pipe line controlling flow through said second pipe line to maintain a back pressure on stock in the conduit for effecting said ejection of stock therefrom, and means defining an inclosed passageway from the conduit to the forming surface for directing ejected stock to the forming surface.

17. In a paper making machine including a forming surface, a stock filtering screen and a flow box receiving screened stock from the filtering screen, the improvements of an elongated siook conduit extending across the Width of the machine adjacent the forming surface thereof and having openings along its length, a pipe line connecting the flow box with one end of the conduit, a pump in said pipe line for pumping stock from the flow oox through the conduit, a second line connecting the opposite end of said conwith the flow box for recirculating stock 1 the conduit, a perforate cylinder telescoped ind said conduit in spaced relation therefrom, means for rotating said cylinder around the conof separate stock passageways adapted to extend across the width of a paper making machine, stock feed means communicating with one passageway at one end of said means and with an adjacent passageway at the opposite end of said means, drain devices communicating with said passageways at the ends thereof which are not connected to the stock feed means whereby a plurality of streams of stock will flow through adjacent passageways in opposite directions, said passageways being open for ejection of stock along the length thereof, and means for regulating the drain devices to maintain the oppositely flowing stock streams under pressure for ejection of some of the stock along the length of the passageways.

20. A stock feed device for the wet end of a paper making machine which comprises a conduit for, extending across the wet end of a paper making machine, a partition in said conduit dividing the same into two passages, stock feed means communicating with one of said passages at one end of the conduit, stock feed means communicating with the other of said passages at the other end of the conduit, drain outlets communicating with the ends of th passages which are not in communication with the stock feed means for removing stock from the passages whereby the-stock will be continually flowed through the passages in opposite directions, and said conduit having openings along the length thereof communicating with each of said passages for receiving therethrough stock from the flowing streams.

21. A stock inlet for a paper making machine having a web forming surface which comprises a pair of adjacent stock conduits having openings along the lengths thereof, means for flowing stock in opposite directions through said conduits for ejection through said openings, and means defining a stock passageway from the conduit openings to the web forming surface of the paper machine.

22. The method of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper machine which comprises flowing streams of stock under pressure in opposite directions transversely across the entire width of the paper machine, removing excess stock from the ends of the stream to maintain rapid flow through the streams, spouting stock upwardly from said streams into a superposed chamber, and overflowing stock from said chamber onto the formin surface.

23. The method of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper machine which comprises flowing two streams of stock in opposite directions transversely across the entire width of the paper machine, spouting stock from said oppositel flowing streams into asuperimposed chamber, and overflowing stock from the top of said chamber onto the forming surface.

24. The method Of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper machine which-comprises flowing streams Of stock in a closed circuit in opposite directions transversely across the entire width of the paper making machine, ejecting stock under pressure from said transversely flowing streams into a superimposed chamber, overflowing stock from the top of said chamber and confining the overflowed stock in a laterally extending passageway dischargin onto the forming surface.

25. The method of feeding stock to the forming surface of a paper making machine which comprises ejecting stock from oppositely flowing streams into a stock passageway communicating with the paper machine forming surface at its front end and with a stock feed box at its rear end, and regulatin the amount of stock fed to the forming surface by controlling drainage from the passageway to the feed box.

26. The method of feeding stock to the formstock from said conduits uniformly along the length thereof, merging the spouted stock in a chamber having the same width as the forming wire of the machine, overflowing stock out of the top of the chamber into a confined passageway having the same width as the forming wire of the machine and regulating flow out of both ends of the passageway.

2'7. The method of feeding stock to a forming surface which comprises, screening the stock, discharging the screened stock into a feed box,

pumping stock from the feed box into'an opposite end of a pair of parallel conduits extending transversely across the width of the forming surface, ejecting stock along the length of the conduits into an open ended longitudinal passageway, discharging stock from the front end of the passageway onto the forming surface, and draining stock back to the feed box out of the rear end of the passageway to control the velocity and volume of stock fed to the forming surface.

EARL E. BERRY. LLOYD HORNBOSTEL. 

